Social Policy Advisory Committee

About the Committee

The Social Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) advises Council on matters relating to social planning and the social needs, social well-being and social development of the community. How we plan our cities and neighbourhoods affects the health and well-being of individuals and community in the following ways:

Our ability to get around

Where and in what type of housing we live

What food we have access to

Access to income

How much and what kind of green space we can play and rest in

How safe, connected and included we feel in our neighbourhoods

Engagement and sense of belonging

Meetings

First Wednesday of every second month at 7:00 pm in the Blaney Room, City Hall, 11995 Haney Place

Wed Sep. 5

Wed Nov. 7

Members

Governed by bylaw, the Social Policy Advisory Committee is uniquely designed to provide a variety of perspectives and a broad based approach to community planning. The committee is made up of representation from:

City Council

School District No. 42

Fraser Health

Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Community Network

Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Seniors Network

Ridge Meadows RCMP

A representative of the business community

Three Community-at-Large members

One Youth (19-25 years) Community-at-Large member

Current Initiatives

Op​ioid overdose response - social policy engagement workshop

​​Dr. Ingrid Tyler, Medical Health Officer, made a presentation (PDF) at the January 30, 2018 Social Policy Engagement Workshop. A synopsis of the questions and answers following the presentations can be found in the Workshop notes (PDF).

ICM Team Presentation to Social Policy Advisory Committee

Catharine Hume, Co-Executive Director of Rain City Housing, made a presentation at the May 3, 2017 Social Policy Advisory Committee meeting. Ms. Hume provided information on the Integrated Case Management (ICM) Team for Maple Ridge.

Cooperative Efforts

The Social Policy Advisory Committee focuses on improving the social well-being of the community by building community capacity through social services network development, community solutions initiatives, community building initiatives and by encouraging socially sustainable practices for current and future citizens. By creating an opportunity for dialogue between council and local service providers, agencies and other levels of government a collaborative approach to meeting the needs of the community is strengthened. Information is shared, needs or gaps in services are identified and resources and action plans are developed through collaboration.